"I was having trouble getting the bat through the zone (early in the season)," Chavez said to The Arizona Republic. "I was just kind of sputtering a little bit. I knew on the schedule that I was going there (New York), so I felt comfortable that I was going to go in there and get some good work. Talking with (the training staff), they were all on board with one of them coming to see what happens so they could do what we’ve been doing. It’s really helped out."

Chavez said the key to him remaining successful is making sure he doesn't push himself too hard.

"Recovery is a big part of what I need to do," Chavez said. "Gibby (manager Kirk Gibson), he’s communicated with me. What do you want to do? What should we do? How should we handle this? He’s been really good about it, too."

Gibson said he won't have trouble finding playing time for his outfielders once Eaton is healthy. Before getting hurt, Eaton was expected to be the team's starting center fielder and leadoff hitter.

"I’m not really worried about it," Gibson told The Arizona Republic. "If we have guys, we’ll find places for them to play. As we bring back some of these guys, we’ll get stronger in areas and it allows guys to go hard and then take a break and it will allow somebody else to go hard. That’s the way it is. The team has a good mentality about that. They play hard when they get in there. That’s what you want. You want to have great strength and depth."

The speedy left fielder saw his average drop from .346 to begin May to just .268 after a game May 15 against the Padres. He's up to .279 again after going 4 for 9 (.444) in his last two with a triple, walk and two stolen bases. He's scored four runs in the last two games. 

The 31-year-old McLouth has three homers, 10 RBI and is second in the American League with 32 runs scored. He's tied for the lead in the AL with 13 steals with Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury. 

Alonso began May by batting .185 (5 for 27) with a home run and six RBI in nine games.

Garcia was solid in his Orioles debut but has struggled in two losses since. He has allowed eight earned runs on 12 hits -- including three homers -- over his last two starts spanning 9 2/3 innings. 

"He’s been taking BP," Girardi said. "He’s doing actually really well. We’re encouraged by what he’s doing. There has to be probably a next step here pretty quick where he starts to see some live BP or some simulated games."

Youkilis has been hitting off a tee and against soft toss. He's also been taking ground balls. Manager Joe Girardi said Youkilis is advancing well. 

The Yankees have not given Youkilis' return a target date. He's on the disabled list retroactive to April 28. 

Stewart, who tweaked his groin Thursday, won't be starting for at least a few more days.

"I have told him that tomorrow maybe we’ll start some tee and toss and see where he’s at in that situation, moving around," Girardi said. "He’s still a guy who I would not hesitate to put in there if I had to, but I figured if you can get one more day in a sense, where it gives you almost 36 hours, let’s take it, take advantage of it. I don’t know if he would play Tuesday, but I want to know that he’s better so we could make a decision. He does feel better; he told me."